DATE: Tuesday, October 28, 1997             TAG: 9710280006

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B10  EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letter 

                                            LENGTH:   47 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

EAST OCEAN VIEW

Real ``horror stories''

drove us away

In response to the Oct. 15 letter from Grace Haworth and Mary Blum about ``the good life'' in East Ocean View:

My family and I lived in East Ocean View for 6 months. I'm glad that these ladies haven't experienced ``horror stories,'' but we have. For example:

Our car was broken into, twice, and property stolen.

There was a triple murder less than a block from our home.

I was accosted on the street by a young man, in broad daylight, and asked would I ``do a favor'' for him. I didn't stick around long enough to find out what the favor was.

In short, I was no longer sure I wanted to raise my family there. I admit that there are some good things about East Ocean View, like the beaches and the scenery, and if it were just me, I'd stay, but I have to think of my family's safety. I'll visit, but that's it.

Stephanie Kuhlmeyer

Norfolk, Oct. 16, 1997

The area is no paradise

I was amused by the Oct. 15 letter from two East Ocean View residents who believe their area is relatively safe. I have resided in Ocean View for the past 30 years, both on the East and West ends. What dream world are these people living in?

Your own paper, in the last year, has reported on several shooting and murders in Ocean View. The Compass crime report always includes numerous break-ins, both to residential and commercial concerns. An occasional rape or fondling is also included. So are robberies to the individual.

Prostitution in rampant in Ocean View, especially around the clip joints and First View Street area. Drive through Ocean View at any given time and you will be hard-pressed not to find some women, as well as men dressed as women, working the streets.

The Norfolk Police Department tries to curb these activities but is foiled by lenient courts and so-called rights groups. Revolving-door justice aids criminals. Let's get our legislators to pass laws that give law-enforcement officers the tools to enforce them.

Alfred Dexter Wright

Norfolk, Oct. 15, 1997

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